My ambition is to support the EU institutions in becoming more effective, transparent and accountable by strategically increasing the visibility and impact of the work of the European Ombudsman.
European Network of Ombudsmen Conference 2017
The annual European Network of Ombudsmen 2017 conference took place on 19 and 20 June. Videos of the four sessions covering 'populism' in the EU; Brexit and citizens' rights; open governance; and current and future challenges for Ombudsmen ...
Ombudsman's Annual Report 2016
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has launched her Annual Report for 2016. Concerns about transparency in the EU administration accounted for the biggest proportion of the cases
Ombudsman launches list of Dos & Don’ts to help EU officials deal with lobbyists
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has published practical advice for EU officials on interacting with interest representatives.
Ombudsman announces Award for Good Administration winners
The European Ombudsman, Emily O´Reilly, awarded projects in seven categories with the overall Award for Good Administration going to the Commission´s DG Sante for the project "EU collaboration to help patients with rare diseases". The ...
Ombudsman opens inquiry into transparency of Council legislative work
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has opened an inquiry into whether the Council of the EU allows sufficient public scrutiny of the evolving discussions on draft EU laws.
Ombudsman urges appropriate Brexit transparency
The European Ombudsman has asked the European Commission to ensure transparency during the upcoming Brexit negotiations
Ombudsman calls on President Juncker to clarify position on Barroso appointment
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has called on President Juncker to clarify the Commission’s position on former Commission President Barroso’s appointment as non-executive chairman and adviser at Goldman Sachs.
What we do
The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union.
If you are a citizen of a Member State of the Union or reside in a Member State, you can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman. Businesses, associations or other bodies with a registered office in the Union may also complain to the Ombudsman.
Read More...Who we are
Emily O'Reilly took office as European Ombudsman on 1 October 2013.
She is the former National Ombudsman of Ireland and National information Commissioner of Ireland (2003-2013), and an award-winning political editor, broadcaster, and author.
Read More...The institution has a highly qualified, multilingual staff.
This means that we can deal with your complaint in your language as one of the 24 EU languages that we work in. We are committed to making our service fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Read More...How it works
Who can turn to the European Ombudsman?
Citizens, NGOs, associations, businesses, universities, journalists...
- With complaints concerning an EU institution, office or agency
- Who have already tried to solve the problem with the EU body concerned
- When the issue is not over two years old
- Where there is no other legal action underway
The Ombudsman can help with
- Unfair treatment by EU bodies
- Problems with EU tenders/contracts
- Late payments from EU funds
- Refused access to documents
- Delays in dealings with EU bodies
- Undisclosed or improper lobbying
What can the Ombudsman do?
- Follow-up your complaint with the EU body
- Help find a fair solution to your problem
- Issue recommendations to EU bodies
- Inspect EU documents
How to contact the Ombudsman?
- You can contact the Ombudsman in the 24 official EU languages
- Fill out the easy online complaint form
What's new?
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08 August 2017
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Case opened -The Council’s refusal, following a request from an MEP, to give public access to the opinion of its Legal Service concerning an interinstitutional agreement on a Transparency Register
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Case opened -The European Commission’s handling of a request for access to documents on salary data for civil servants in the Member States of the EU
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Case opened -The Commission’s handling of a request from AccessInfo Europe to give public access to the opinions of its Legal Service concerning the transparency register
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04 August 2017
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Case opened -Commission’s failure to give access to documents on its infringement proceedings against Hungary concerning works on the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant
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Case opened -Refusal by Frontex to grant access to documents concerning the vessels used in the Poseidon and Triton operations
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26 July 2017
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Correspondence -Letter to the President of the European Commission Mr Jean- Claude Juncker
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Case opened -ENO Parallel initiative concerning the Commission’s and the Member States’ implementation of Article 28 (governing inspections) of Regulation 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer
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25 July 2017
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Decision -Decision in case 1130/2016/JAS concerning the joint statement made by the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency on the conduct of animal tests for substances used in cosmetics
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21 July 2017
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Case opened -EASO’s involvement in applications for international protection submitted in the ‘hotspots’ in Greece
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20 July 2017
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Decision -Decision of the European Ombudsman closing own-initiative inquiry OI/2/2016/RH concerning delays by the European Commission in processing files on the reproductive toxicity of chemical substances
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